Second-line nivolumab in relapsed small-cell lung cancer: CheckMate 331☆.

BACKGROUND: Patients with relapsed small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) have few treatment options and dismal survival. Phase I/II data show activity of nivolumab in previously treated SCLC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: CheckMate 331 is a randomized, open-label, phase III trial of nivolumab versus standard chemotherapy in relapsed SCLC. Patients with relapse after first-line, platinum-based chemotherapy were randomized 1 : 1 to nivolumab 240 mg every 2 weeks or chemotherapy (topotecan or amrubicin) until progression or unacceptable toxicity. Primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Overall, 284 patients were randomized to nivolumab and 285 to chemotherapy. Minimum follow-up was 15.8 months. No significant improvement in OS was seen with nivolumab versus chemotherapy [median OS, 7.5 versus 8.4 months; hazard ratio (HR), 0.86; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.72-1.04; P = 0.11]. A survival benefit with nivolumab was suggested in patients with baseline lactate dehydrogenase ≤ upper limit of normal and in those without baseline liver metastases. OS (nivolumab versus chemotherapy) was similar in patients with programmed death-ligand 1 combined positive score ≥1% versus <1%. Median progression-free survival was 1.4 versus 3.8 months (HR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.18-1.69). Objective response rate was 13.7% versus 16.5% (odds ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.50-1.27); median duration of response was 8.3 versus 4.5 months. Rates of grade 3 or 4 treatment-related adverse events were 13.8% versus 73.2%. CONCLUSION: Nivolumab did not improve survival versus chemotherapy in relapsed SCLC. No new safety signals were seen. In exploratory analyses, select baseline characteristics were associated with improved OS for nivolumab.

Family function and eating behaviours among Hispanic/Latino youth: results from the Hispanic Community Children's Health Study/Study of Latino Youth (SOL Youth).

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate mechanisms across family function, home environment and eating behaviours within sociocultural context among Hispanic youth. DESIGN: Two models tested via path analysis (youth fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption; empty energy consumption) using data from the Study of Latino Youth (2011-2013). SETTING: Chicago, IL; Miami, FL; Bronx, NY; San Diego, CA. PARTICIPANTS: Youth (8-16-year-olds), n 1466. RESULTS: Youth ate 2·4 servings of FV per d and received 27 % of total energy from empty energies. Perceiving higher acculturative stress was indirectly associated with lower FV consumption via a pathway of low family function and family support for FV (ß = -0·013, P < 0·001) and via lower family closeness and family support (ß = -0·004, P = 0·004). Being >12-year-olds was indirectly associated with lower FV consumption via lower family closeness and family support (ß = -0·006, P < 0·001). Household food security was indirectly associated with greater FV consumption via family closeness and family support (ß = 0·005, P = 0·003). In contrast, perceiving higher acculturative stress was indirectly associated with higher empty energy consumption (via family closeness and family support: ß = 0·003, P = 0·028 and via low family function and low family support: ß = 0·008, P = 0·05). Being older was associated with higher consumption of empty energies via family closeness (related to family support: ß = 0·04, P = 0·016; parenting strategies for eating: ß = 0·002, P = 0·049). CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest pathways of influence across demographic and sociocultural context, family dynamics and home environment. The directionality of these associations needs confirmation using longitudinal data.

Reproductive history and osteoarthritis in the Women's Health Initiative.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between self-reported osteoarthritis (OA) and reproductive factors in the Women's Health Initiative (WHI). Method: We used multivariable logistic regression to study the association of self-reported OA and reproductive factors in the WHI Observational Study and Clinical Trial cohorts of 145 965 postmenopausal women, in a retrospective cross-sectional format. Results: In our cohort, we observed no clinically significant associations between reproductive factors and OA given small effect sizes. The following factors were associated with statistically significant increased likelihood of developing OA: younger age at menarche (p < 0.001), history of hysterectomy [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.013, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.004-1.022, p = 0.04 vs no hysterectomy], history of unilateral oophorectomy (aOR 1.015, 95% CI 1.004-1.026, p < 0.01 vs no oophorectomy), parity (aOR 1.017, 95% CI 1.009-1.026, p < 0.001), ever use of oral contraceptives (aOR 1.008, 95% CI 1.001-1.016, p < 0.01 vs never use), and current use of hormonal therapy (reference current users, aOR 0.951, 95% CI 0.943-0.959 for never users; aOR 0.981, 95% CI 0.972-0.989 for past users; global p < 0.001). Age at menopause, first birth, and pregnancy were not associated with OA. Among parous women, no clear pattern was observed with number of pregnancies, births, or duration of breastfeeding in relation to OA. Conclusion: Our study showed that reproductive factors did not have significant clinical associations with OA after controlling for confounders. This may be due to complex hormonal effects. Additional investigation is warranted in prospective cohort studies. The Women's Health Initiative is registered under ClinicalTrials.gov. Trial registration ID: NCT00000611.

Immunometabolic Status of COVID-19 Cancer Patients.

Cancer patients appear to be more likely to be diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This is supported by the understanding of immunometabolic pathways that intersect patients with infection and cancer. However, data derived by case series and retrospective studies do not offer a coherent interpretation, since data from China suggest an increased risk of COVID-19, while data from the United States and Italy show a prevalence of COVID-19 in cancer patients comparable with the general population. Noteworthy, cancer and COVID-19 exploit distinct patterns of macrophage activation that promote disease progression in the most severe forms. In particular, the alternative activation of M2-polarized macrophages plays a crucial role in cancer progression. In contrast, the macrophage-activation syndrome appears as the source of M1-related cytokine storm in severe COVID-19 disease, thus indicating macrophages as a source of distinct inflammatory states in the two diseases, nonetheless as a common therapeutic target. New evidence indicates that NAMPT/NAD metabolism can direct both innate immune cell effector functions and the homeostatic robustness, in both cancer and infection. Moreover, a bidirectional relationship exists between the metabolism of NAD and the protective role that angiotensin converting enzyme 2, the COVID-19 receptor, can play against hyperinflammation. Within this immunometabolic framework, the review considers possible interference mechanisms that viral infections and tumors elicit on therapies and provides an overview for the management of patients with cancer affected by COVID-19, particularly for the balance of risk and benefit when planning normally routine cancer treatments and follow-up appointments.

Privacy rights of human research participants in South Africa must be taken seriously.

Letter by Thaldar and Townsend, following an article by the same authors (Thaldar D, Townsend B. Genomic research and privacy: A response to Staunton et al. S Afr Med J 2020;110(3):172-174. https://doi.org/10.7196/SAMJ.2020.v110i3.14431) and both commenting on an article by Staunton et al. (Staunton C, Adams R, Botes M, et al. Safeguarding the future of genomic research in South Africa: Broad consent and the Protection of Personal Information Act No. 4 of 2013. S Afr Med J 2019;109(7):468-470. https://doi.org/10.7196/SAMJ.2019.v109i7.14148); and response to article and letter by Staunton et al.

TATTON: a multi-arm, phase Ib trial of osimertinib combined with selumetinib, savolitinib, or durvalumab in EGFR-mutant lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Osimertinib is a potent, third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). The multi-arm phase Ib TATTON study (NCT02143466) was designed to assess the safety and tolerability of osimertinib in combination with other targeted therapies: selumetinib (MEK1/2 inhibitor), savolitinib (MET-TKI), or durvalumab [anti-programmed cell death ligand 1 (anti-PD-L1) monoclonal antibody]. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with advanced EGFR-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer and disease progression on a prior EGFR-TKI were enrolled and allocated to dose-escalating cohorts combining osimertinib 80 mg orally (p.o.) once a day with selumetinib (25-75 mg p.o. twice a day; continuous or intermittent), savolitinib (600-800 mg p.o. once a day), or durvalumab (3-10 mg/kg intravenous every 2 weeks). RESULTS: At data cut-off (28 February 2018), 77 patients were enrolled and received osimertinib plus selumetinib (n = 36), savolitinib (n = 18), or durvalumab (n = 23). Most common adverse events (any grade), occurring in ≥20% of patients across dose groups, were: selumetinib arm-diarrhea (75%), rash (58%), nausea (47%); savolitinib arm-nausea (67%), rash (56%), vomiting (50%); durvalumab arm-rash (48%), vomiting (43%), diarrhea (39%). Dose-limiting toxicities were reported in the selumetinib 25 mg (n = 1), 50 mg (n = 1), and 75 mg (n = 4) continuous-dose groups, savolitinib 600 mg (n = 1) and 800 mg dose groups (n = 2), and durvalumab 10 mg/kg (n = 1) dose group. The objective response rate was 42% (95% confidence interval 26% to 59%), 44% (22% to 69%), and 43% (23% to 66%) in the selumetinib, savolitinib, and durvalumab arms, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate the feasibility of combining osimertinib 80 mg with selumetinib or savolitinib at identified tolerable, active doses. A combination of osimertinib with durvalumab was not feasible due to increased reporting of interstitial lung disease. Osimertinib-based combination therapies represent a compelling approach now being further investigated. CLINICAL TRIALS NUMBER: NCT02143466.

Preservation of the mesureter to reduce urinary complications: analysis of data from the observational Leipzig School MMR study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and effect of mesureteral preservation on urinary complications in the context of total mesometrial resection (TMMR), a surgical treatment for cervical cancer. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study with historic control. SETTING: Single tertiary academic centre. POPULATION: Women older than 18 with primary cervical cancer staged FIGO IB1-IIB enrolled in the prospective Leipzig School MMR study and underwent total mesometrial resection (TMMR) without adjuvant radiation. METHOD: We retrospectively analysed 100 consecutive TMMR procedures which were performed for cancer of the uterine cervix and in which the mesureter was preserved (intervention group, 01/2014-06/2017). We compared this group with the previous 100 consecutive TMMRs, which were performed before the introduction of mesureteral preservation (control group, 09/2010-01/2014). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The occurrence of urological and specifically ureteral complications. RESULTS: Mesureteral preservation was feasible and was associated with a significant decrease in ureteral complications (11% without mesureteral preservation versus 3% with mesureteral preservation, P = 0.049). Furthermore, we found a significant decrease in the number of postoperative percutaneous nephrostomies and re-operations (7% versus none, P = 0.014). There was also a trend towards a decrease in other urinary complications such as postoperative bladder atony and uretero-vaginal fistulas. CONCLUSION: The mesureter constitutes a convenient dissection plane enabling the preservation of lateral ureteral blood supply during TMMR. In our study, maintenance of mesureteral integrity was associated with a significant reduction in ureteral complications. Mesureteral preservation might also be useful in other types of pelvic surgeries that carry a high risk of ureteral damage. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Surgical preservation of the mesureter in cervical cancer patients was associated with a reduction in urinary complications.

Safety and patient-reported outcomes of atezolizumab, carboplatin, and etoposide in extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (IMpower133): a randomized phase I/III trial.

BACKGROUND: The addition of atezolizumab to carboplatin and etoposide (CP/ET) significantly improved progression-free and overall survival for patients with extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) in the IMpower133 study (NCT02763579). We have evaluated adverse events (AEs) and patient-reported outcomes in IMpower133 to assess the benefit-risk profile of this regimen. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients received four 21-day cycles of CP/ET plus intravenous atezolizumab 1200 mg or placebo (induction phase), followed by atezolizumab or placebo (maintenance phase) until progression or loss of benefit. AEs were assessed and patient-reported outcomes were evaluated every 3 weeks during treatment using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire - Core 30 (QLQ-C30) and QLQ-LC13. RESULTS: Overall, 394 patients were assessable for safety in the induction phase and 318 in the maintenance phase. The frequency of AEs, grade 3-4 AEs, and serious AEs was similar between arms in both phases. Immune-related AEs were more frequent in the atezolizumab arm during both induction (28% versus 17%; leading to atezolizumab/placebo interruption 9% versus 5%, leading to withdrawal 4% versus 0%) and maintenance (26% versus 15%; leading to atezolizumab/placebo interruption, 3% versus 2%, leading to withdrawal 1% versus 1%), most commonly rash (induction 11% versus 9%, maintenance 14% versus 4%), and hypothyroidism (induction 4.0% versus 0%, maintenance 10% versus 1%). Changes in patient-reported treatment-related symptoms commonly associated with quality of life impairment were generally similar during induction and most of the maintenance phase. Patient-reported function and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) improved in both arms after initiating treatment, with more pronounced and persistent HRQoL improvements in the atezolizumab arm. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with ES-SCLC, atezolizumab plus CP/ET has a comparable safety profile to placebo plus CP/ET, and the addition of atezolizumab did not adversely impact patient-reported HRQoL. These data demonstrate the positive benefit-risk profile of first-line atezolizumab plus CP/ET in ES-SCLC and further support this regimen as a new standard of care in this setting. CLINICAL TRIALS NUMBER: NCT02763579.

[Un- and dedifferentiated endometrial carcinoma : A rare entity with a wide range of differential diagnosis]. / Das un- und dedifferenzierte Endometriumkarzinom : Eine seltene Entität mit breitem differenzialdiagnostischem Spektrum.

Dedifferentiated endometrial carcinomas (ECs) are composed of undifferentiated EC and a FIGO grade 1 or 2 endometrioid carcinoma. The undifferentiated component represents a malignant epithelial neoplasm with no obvious differentiation and immunohistochemical loss of PAX8, E­cadherin and focal expression of EMA and/or CK18 and the predominant presence of nuclear staining for INI1 (SMARCB1) and BRG1 (SMARCA4). The main differential diagnoses include poorly differentiated endometrioid EC, neuroendocrine carcinoma, lymphoma, plasmocytoma, high-grade endometrial stromal sarcomas, undifferentiated uterine sarcomas (UUS), carcinosarcomas, and metastases to the endometrium. The histogenesis is not yet fully understood and molecular data are still limited. Some tumors represent a loss of MHL1 and PMS2 staining due to MLH1-promotor methylation. Rare cases are associated with Lynch syndrome or POLE mutation. The un- or dedifferentiated EC represents a high-grade endometrial carcinoma that requires extended surgery and indicates a poor prognosis. In cases with mismatch repair protein deficiency or POLE mutation, immuno-oncological treatment with checkpoint inhibitors are a therapeutic option.

[The 2019 FIGO classification for cervical carcinoma-what's new?] / FIGO-Klassifikation für das Zervixkarzinom 2019 ­ was ist neu?

Numerous therapeutic and prognostic studies of cervical carcinoma have necessitated a revision of the FIGO classification.For microinvasive carcinomas, the horizontal dimension is no longer considered and diagnosis and staging will solely be made by the depth of cervical stromal invasion. Lymphovascular invasion beyond the deepest point of stromal infiltration by tumor cells does not alter the stage.There will be a new subclassification of macroinvasive carcinoma confined to the uterine cervix, which will be made by largest tumor extension as follows: FIGO IB1/T1b1 - invasive carcinoma >0.5 cm depth of stromal invasion and ≤2 cm in largest dimension, FIGO IBII/T1b2: - invasive carcinoma >2 cm and ≤4 cm, FIGO IBII/T1b3 - invasive carcinoma >4 cm. Pelvic as well as para-aortic lymph nodes will be defined as regional nodes. Pelvic lymph node metastases only will be categorised as FIGO IIIC1/pN1a and para-aortic lymph node involvement with or without concomitant pelvic involvement will be FIGO IIIC2/pN1b. Uterine corpus as well as adnexal involvement are not relevant for staging purpose.

Safeguarding the future of genomic research in South Africa: Broad consent and the Protection of Personal Information Act No. 4 of 2013.

Genomic research has been identified in South Africa (SA) as important in developing a strong bio-economy that has the potential to improve human health, drive job creation and offer potential solutions to the disease burden harboured by low- and middle-income countries. Central to the success of genomic research is the wide sharing of biological samples and data, but the true value of data can only be unlocked if there are laws and policies in place that foster the legal and ethical sharing of genomic data. The introduction and entry into force of SA's Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) No. 4 of 2013 is to be welcomed, but the wording of POPIA as it pertains to consent for the processing of personal information for research purposes has sparked a debate about the legal status of broad consent. We argue that a purposive interpretation of the legislation would permit broad consent for the processing of personal information for research. Although there are ongoing debates surrounding the ethical use of broad consent in Africa, the objective of this article is not to engage with the ethics of broad consent itself, but rather to focus on the legal status of broad consent for genomic data sharing under POPIA.

A phase III, randomized, open-label study of ASP8273 versus erlotinib or gefitinib in patients with advanced stage IIIB/IV non-small-cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: ASP8273, a novel, small molecule, irreversible tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) specifically inhibits the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in patients with activating mutations or EGFR T790M resistance mutations. The current study examines the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of ASP8273 versus erlotinib or gefitinib in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with activating EGFR mutations not previously treated with an EGFR inhibitor. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This global, phase III, open-label, randomized study evaluated ASP8273 versus erlotinib/gefitinib in patients with locally advanced, metastatic, or unresectable stage IIIB/IV NSCLC with activating EGFR mutations. They were ineligible if they received prior chemotherapy for metastatic disease. The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS), and secondary end points included overall survival, investigator-assessed PFS, best overall response rate (ORR), disease control rate, duration of response (DoR), and the safety/tolerability profile. RESULTS: Patients (n = 530) were randomized 1 : 1 to receive ASP8273 (n = 267) or erlotinib/gefitinib (n = 263). Patient demographics between both treatment groups were generally balanced. Median PFS was 9.3 months (95% CI 5.6-11.1 months) for patients receiving ASP8273 and 9.6 months (95% CI 8.8-NE) for the erlotinib/gefitinib group, with a hazard ratio of 1.611 (P = 0.992). The ORR in the ASP8273 group was 33% (95% CI 27.4-39.0) versus 47.9% (95% CI 41.7-54.1) in the erlotinib/gefitinib group. Median DoR was similar for both groups (9.2 months for ASP8273 versus 9.0 months for erlotinib/gefitinib). More grade ≥3 treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) occurred in patients receiving ASP8273 than in those receiving erlotinib/gefitinib (54.7% versus 43.5%). An independent data monitoring committee carried out an interim safety analysis and recommended discontinuing the study due to toxicity and limited predicted efficacy of ASP8273 relative to erlotinib/gefitinib. CONCLUSIONS: First-line ASP8273 did not show improved PFS or equivalent toxicities versus erlotinib/gefitinib. CLINICALTRIAL.GOV NUMBER: NCT02588261.

[S3 guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of carcinoma of the endometrium : Requirements for pathology]. / S3-Leitlinie Diagnostik und Therapie des Endometriumkarzinoms : Anforderungen an die Pathologie.

The present article summarises the relevant aspects of the S3 guidelines on endometrioid carcinomas. The recommendations include the processing rules of fractional currettings as well as for hysterectomy specimens and lymph node resections (including sentinel lymph nodes). Besides practical aspects, the guidelines consider the needs of the clinicians for appropriate surgical and radiotherapeutic treatment of the patients. Carcinosarcomas are assigned to the endometrial carcinoma as a special variant. For the first time, an algorithmic approach for evaluation of the tumour tissue for Lynch syndrome is given. Prognostic factors based on morphologic findings are summarised.

[TNM classification of gynecologic malignancies : What remains to be done beyond 2017?] / TNM-Klassifikation gynäkologischer Tumoren : Was bleibt über 2017 hinaus zu tun?

For some gynecologic malignancies, there are disagreements between the most recent WHO and TNM classifications and the recommendations of the International Collaboration of Cancer Reporting. These discrepancies are addressed and discussed in this paper. The WHO definition for primary vaginal cancer does not match the TNM definition. The paper also discusses and provides TNM classifications for rare gynecologic tumors like primary malignant vulvar melanomas, sarcomas of the vulva, perivascular epithelioid cell tumor (PECom) of the uterus, undifferentiated uterine sarcomas, and extra-intestinal gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), and provides some recommendations for the reporting and categorization of regional lymph nodes in nonuterine serous pelvic cancer.

[Histopathology and clinical aspects of extrauterine pregnancy]. / Histopathologie und Klinik der Extrauteringravidität.

Ectopic pregnancies are the main sources of pregnancy-related morbidity and mortality in the first trimester. They are usually located in the ampullary part of the fallopian tube and the incidence increases in the setting of assisted reproductive techniques, older age at the time of the first pregnancy, and prior adnexal procedures. The clinical aspects and diagnostic challenges of an ectopic pregnancy for the pathologist are to be outlined. A review of the relevant literature was performed. Proof of gestational tissue is of utmost importance in the pathological-anatomical evaluation of an ectopic pregnancy. A complete evaluation of the specimen of a presumed tubal abruption or after milking out should be performed. Abnormal placentations (blighted ovum, embryonal molar pregnancy) as well as gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD, e.g., partial/complete molar pregnancy, choriocarcinoma) can occur in the setting of an ectopic pregnancy. Caution must be taken to differentiate a trophoblast hyperplasia secondary to the tubal microenvironment from GTD. p57 immunohistochemistry can help exclude a molar pregnancy. Only 50% of ectopic pregnancies are associated with tubal pathologies (e. g. inflammation, tubal adhesions). Chorionic villi and trophoblast epithelia can demonstrate regressive changes after prior methotrexate treatment. Rarely, immunohistochemistry with GATA-3, p63, ß­HCG, PAX-8, and WT-1 can be used in the differential diagnosis of trophoblastic epithelium. Ectopic pregnancies are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. A thorough evaluation of the specimen can help guide management and follow-up.

Randomized phase III study of docetaxel plus bavituximab in previously treated advanced non-squamous non-small-cell lung cancer.

Background: Bavituximab is a monoclonal antibody that targets phosphatidylserine in the presence of ß2 glycoprotein 1 (ß2GP1) to exert an antitumor immune response. This phase III trial determined the efficacy of bavituximab combined with docetaxel in patients with previously treated advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients and methods: Key eligibility criteria included advanced non-squamous NSCLC with disease progression after treatment with platinum-based doublet chemotherapy, evidence of disease control after at least two cycles of first-line therapy, presence of measurable disease, ECOG performance status 0 or 1, adequate bone marrow and organ function, and no recent history of clinically significant bleeding. Eligible patients were randomized 1 : 1 to receive up to six 21-day cycles of docetaxel plus either weekly bavituximab 3 mg/kg or placebo until progression or toxicity. The primary end point was overall survival (OS). Results: A total of 597 patients were enrolled. Median OS was 10.5 months in the docetaxel + bavituximab arm and was 10.9 months in the docetaxel + placebo arm (HR 1.06; 95% CI 0.88-1.29; P = 0.533). There was no difference in progression-free survival (HR 1.00; 95% CI 0.82-1.22; P = 0.990). Toxicities were manageable and similar between arms. In subset analysis, among patients with high baseline serum ß2GP1 levels ≥200 µg/ml, a nonsignificant OS trend favored the bavituximab arm (HR 0.82; 95% CI 0.63-1.06; P = 0.134). Among patients who received post-study immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy, OS favored the bavituximab arm (HR 0.46; 95% CI 0.26-0.81; P = 0.006). Conclusions: The combination of bavituximab plus docetaxel is not superior to docetaxel in patients with previously treated advanced NSCLC. The addition of bavituximab to docetaxel does not meaningfully increase toxicity. The potential benefit of bavituximab observed in patients with high ß2GP1 levels and in patients subsequently treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors requires further investigation. Clinical trial number: NCT01999673.

Nivolumab versus docetaxel in previously treated advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (CheckMate 017 and CheckMate 057): 3-year update and outcomes in patients with liver metastases.

Background: Long-term data with immune checkpoint inhibitors in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are limited. Two phase III trials demonstrated improved overall survival (OS) and a favorable safety profile with the anti-programmed death-1 antibody nivolumab versus docetaxel in patients with previously treated advanced squamous (CheckMate 017) and nonsquamous (CheckMate 057) NSCLC. We report results from ≥3 years' follow-up, including subgroup analyses of patients with liver metastases, who historically have poorer prognosis among patients with NSCLC. Patients and methods: Patients were randomized 1 : 1 to nivolumab (3 mg/kg every 2 weeks) or docetaxel (75 mg/m2 every 3 weeks) until progression or discontinuation. The primary end point of each study was OS. Patients with baseline liver metastases were pooled across studies by treatment for subgroup analyses. Results: After 40.3 months' minimum follow-up in CheckMate 017 and 057, nivolumab continued to show an OS benefit versus docetaxel: estimated 3-year OS rates were 17% [95% confidence interval (CI), 14% to 21%] versus 8% (95% CI, 6% to 11%) in the pooled population with squamous or nonsquamous NSCLC. Nivolumab was generally well tolerated, with no new safety concerns identified. Of 854 randomized patients across both studies, 193 had baseline liver metastases. Nivolumab resulted in improved OS compared with docetaxel in patients with liver metastases (hazard ratio, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.50-0.91), consistent with findings from the overall pooled study population (hazard ratio, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.61-0.81). Rates of treatment-related hepatic adverse events (primarily grade 1-2 liver enzyme elevations) were slightly higher in nivolumab-treated patients with liver metastases (10%) than in the overall pooled population (6%). Conclusions: After 3 years' minimum follow-up, nivolumab continued to demonstrate an OS benefit versus docetaxel in patients with advanced NSCLC. Similarly, nivolumab demonstrated an OS benefit versus docetaxel in patients with liver metastases, and remained well tolerated. Clinical trial registration: CheckMate 017: NCT01642004; CheckMate 057: NCT01673867.

Hypermethylation and loss of retinoic acid receptor responder 1 expression in human choriocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Human placental development resembles tumorigenesis, due to the invasive and fusogenic potential of trophoblasts. However, these features are tightly controlled in trophoblasts. Disturbance of this spatial and temporal regulation is thought to contribute to the rare formation of choriocarcinomas. Promoter hypermethylation and loss of the tumor suppressor Retinoic acid receptor responder 1 (RARRES1) were shown to contribute to cancer progression. Our study investigated the epigenetic and transcriptional regulation of RARRES1 in healthy human placenta in comparison to choriocarcinoma cell lines and cases. METHODS: Three choriocarcinoma cell lines (Jeg-3, JAR and BeWo) were treated with three different retinoic acid derivates (Am580, Tazarotene and all-trans retinoic acid) and 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine. We analyzed RARRES1 promoter methylation by pyrosequencing and performed realtime-PCR quantification to determine RARRES1 expression in placental tissue and trophoblastic cell lines. Additionally, RARRES1 was stained in healthy placentas and in biopsies of choriocarcinoma cases (n = 10) as well as the first trimester trophoblast cell line Swan71 by immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: In the choriocarcinoma cell lines, RARRES1 expression could not be induced by sole retinoic acid treatment. Stimulation with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine significantly induced RARRES1 expression, which then could be further increased with Am580, Tazarotene and all-trans retinoic acid. In comparison to healthy placenta, choriocarcinoma cell lines showed a hypermethylation of the RARRES1 promoter, which correlated with a reduced RARRES1 expression. In concordance, RARRES1 protein expression was lost in choriocarcinoma tissue. Additionally, in the trophoblastic cell line Swan71, we found a significant induction of RARRES1 expression with increased cell density, during mitosis and in syncytial knots. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings showed that RARRES1 expression is absent in choriocarcinoma due to promoter methylation. Based on our analysis, we hypothesize that RARRES1 might exert tumor suppressive functions in multiple cellular processes (e.g. cell cycle regulation, adhesion, invasion and apoptosis).

Applying recovery biomarkers to calibrate self-report measures of sodium and potassium in the hispanic community health study/study of latinos.

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1038/jhh.2016.98.

Long chain fatty acids and related pro-inflammatory, specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators and their intermediates in preterm human milk during the first month of lactation.

This study aimed to measure longitudinal quantities of the long chain fatty acids, their biologically active terminal metabolites and related intermediates (also called oxylipins) in preterm human milk expressed during the first month of lactation. In a prospective cohort, breast milk was collected throughout the first month of lactation in 30 women who delivered preterm infants. Eighteen bioactive lipids and their intermediates were quantified via solid phase extraction and LC-MS/MS. Analysis by GC-FID quantified the fatty acid precursors. Arachidonic acid (ARA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) milk concentrations significantly declined throughout the first month. Oxylipin concentrations did not change during lactation. Positive associations existed between ARA and thromboxane B2, eicosapentaenoic acid and 18-hydroxyeicosapentaenoic acid, and between DHA and PDX and 14- and 17-hydroxydocosahexaenoic acids. DHA concentrations were 1.5 times higher and 14-HDHA was 1.7 times higher in milk from women taking DHA supplements. This investigation showed conditionally essential fatty acids, ARA and DHA, decreased in preterm milk, suggesting a need to supplement their intake for the breast milk-fed preterm infant. Positive associations between parent fatty acids, bioactive lipids and intermediates, as well as sensitivity of milk to maternal fatty acid intake, support consideration of a comprehensive approach to providing fatty acids for preterm infants through both maternal and infant supplementation.